Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California
trademarks
I'm a jeweler.
A client has asked me to make him a ring with a logo (ie Mercedes Benz Star) on it. I know that's a protected trademark. If it's just for the one person & we're not advertising it to others, can we make that without risking legal action? I can have them sign a note that they've asked us to make it for them, I'd guess. thanks.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: trademarks
Ask them for a letter from Mercedes-Benz authorizing the use.
Re: trademarks
You might "Get away with it", but it's still an infringement of the trademark.
Damages if they sue would certainly exceed your profits, plus, you'd have attorney's fees in the tens of thousands, too.
The mere fact that you know enough to ask the question tells me that you also know the right answer. Don't do this.